First, we must believe that the Gospel and ONLY the Gospel of Christ “is the power of God unto salvation.”

Second, we must present the Gospel in all clarity and fullness. We cannot dumb it down to unexplained tired traditional cliches or biblically unconnected contemporary phrases laced throughout or tacked on to the end of sermons. To present the whole Gospel we must make it thorough in our churches’ structures to include all ages and all venues (small groups/Sunday School, discipleship classes, children and youth ministries and of course the worship services). And we must present it in the depth that God has given. This will give us more solid converts and more mature disciples i.e. TRANSFORMED!

What we must believe is that transformation does not rely on the method of our churches but on the message of our churches.

Here is a question for all church leaders.  What is your church known for? Or, what would you like it to be known for? Buildings, music style, leadership structure, discipleship patterns, preaching style, history, fighting, location; well the list can go on. The answer should include two things for sure; the GOSPEL and the members loving each other.

Our Gospel must include who Christ is, what He did, why He did it, and the consequences of our response to Christ. Our Gospel must teach about lostness and its horrible condition and end. It must teach on sin and sins and the personal and eternal death that is deserved. It must reveal Hell. It must present Christ deity and holiness and God’s severe judgment. It must include the exclusivity of God’s redemptive work in His Son. It must explain the death of Christ, not as a martyr but as a satisfactory substitute (propitiation). It has to call for “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). It must explain the bodily resurrection of our Lord as it relates to victory and justification. It must reveal the righteousness of God (Romans 3). If our Gospel is going to really be ”good news” (euangelion) it must be full and deep. The life and work of Christ must be presented as an exchange for transformation and NEVER as an additive for life enhancement. The closer we stay with this the more transformation we will see in the lives of our people.

Now, while a real “Gospel church” includes an intentional evangelistic emphasis, it does more than that. Also, the tenets, eternality, and depth of the Gospel message permeate the entire fabric of the thinking of the church to include the disciple making ministry. We should not disconnect discipleship from evangelism any more than Paul disconnected sanctification from justification, (which he did not, nor did our Lord. See for example Luke 9:23-26.) Jesus simply said, “make disciples” and that includes what we have named evangelism and discipleship.

While there is more to say and much to clarify, the truth here is this. For people to be moved beyond being only touched by God’s people to begin a journey of being transformed by God’s power, they “must be born again”! That can only happen when they have heard a transforming Gospel.

Glenn Rogers, July 14, 2010

While I believe we could use the two words interchangeably, this I know. When a person comes to church with some basic interest and understanding of the things of God that person has been “touched” by the Lord in some way. God may have gotten their attention through His general revelation or through their conscience as taught in Romans 1 and 2. He could be using their upbringing or a previous witness or even some thread of Christianity running through the culture. They may even be a professing Christian, as in not an atheist and affiliated with Christianity.  These folks may even like the pastor’s sermons, the small group, the music style, and some of the church folks. They perhaps will show great interest in spiritual things and even volunteer for service. While there are many levels of “touched”, we should never assume that these people have been really born again. Sometimes I think we are so desirous to gain members we want to declare “touched”-only people to be “transformed” people.  This is not just philosophy; this is frightening!

Transformation is the work of the Lord that we want in our church members. Transformation is when a person enters into a permanent righteous relationship with God through Christ. This is what God does when we obey Him to sincerely “make disciples”. Matt 28:19. A “transformed” person is “fruit that remains”. John 15. It is someone who has been “born again”. John 3.

The example I give is John 9, the man blind from birth. Besides the good Jesus did for this man and the rebuke to all manner of falsehoods by others, I believe this story is in the Bible to glorify God and to fulfill the very stated purpose of the book, “…these are written that you may believe…” John 20:30.

This blind man was healed by Jesus, “touched” literally. But, he was not saved yet as we can see by his own words. He did not even know a basic truth, whether Jesus is ”a sinner or not I do not know”. I believe we have “declared, dunked and discipled” many who are sincerely “touched” but not “transformed” – YET! Praise God we see the “yet” as we look at “the rest of the story”.

Our Lord in His grace and mercy comes back around to this healed man later and says to him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man’s response was sincere and then right and he said ”I believe, and he worshiped Him.” Jesus then clarified the lesson even further.

What can we do to help people go from the experience of God’s gracious “touch” to the eternality of His “transformation”? That will be my next writing, Lord willing!

Glenn Rogers 6-22-2010

We as “people of the Book” are never quite sure how much to take from secular religious data like this but some trends keep showing up time and again in these type surveys. The one that stands out most often to me is the seemingly increasing numbers of Americans who easily separate ”religion from spirituality”. We are still a nation of faith, but faith in what or whom seems to be the issue. Almost 70% say they believe in God and over 75% pray outside of religious services. Yet, as expected half claimed they never attend worship services.

More data and then I’ll take a non-optional direction. On PURPOSE, only 40%  say religion holds truth, 19% say it helps teach morals to children, and 22% say that religion has no place in their lives. On PRAYER, almost 3/4ths pray and 6 0f 10 say they pray for forgiveness.

Two scriptures come to mind as I try to get a picture or where some people are.  One is Proverbs 29:18a; “Where there is no revelation, people cast of restraint;”.  Another being II Timothy 3 and 4 where we find many warnings concerning people not wanting God’s truth with Paul inspired by God to tell pastors in 3:8 that there will be those very near us ”having a form of godliness but denying its power.”

Think of it. People cast off restraint (which needs no elaboration here) because they have not heard the revelation of Christ and His word and then form their own religion not knowing the power of Christ and His word.

This screams to me for the need of doctrinal preaching.  More specifically doctrine that comes from the text of scripture as God has laid it out for us. Not the artificial way we are often tempted to arrange God’s word.  Many of us would be amazed and refreshed by the power of God as we proclaim His word when He is not misquoted, paraphrased, or taken out of context, or conveniently arranged!

Today we have so many methods proven to gather a crowd, even an unchurched crowd. When the crowd gathers, who likely would be the very people the survey represents (or strongly influenced by) then give them God’s word, clearly, strongly, doctrinally.  Give the greatestest crowd the greatest truth. Don’t save it for a “deeper group” give it also to the ones on deaths door! “I believe we will experience the Power of God in greater measure and see that people are starving for truth. We know they need it.

Give them Jesus the way God has given him to us, through the word of God.

God did indeed answered by parting the River Jordan and Elisha crossed over. A miracle for the man of God; power for the people of God; confirmation for the committed. (I should add, he went over and faced a strange combination of respect, doubt, division and confirmation as God’s man. Imagine that!)

I will refrain here from speculating on what God’s power looks like on a person today. The reason we might not even agree on this is because we have so seldom seen it in person.

I will offer some thoughts for being eligible for receiving God’s power as we look at these two prophets. 

There was a consistent committment to God’s call as seen in II Kings 2. Elisha would not leave his Master or his mission. He walked and watched close enough to see God’s power when it was there.

Next, he desired God’s power. We see this in how he humbled himself and was not afraid to ask for it.

Also, he did not presume upon it. I fear there are numerous reasons why men of God and churches do not experience God’s unexplainable life changing power, but one reason is that we presume upon it, resting on or claiming Bible promises (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4) when God may be wanting us to personally ask Him for what only He can give. To believe God’s promise is our duty. To desperately ask is dynamic proof of our sincerity.  Meanwhile we wait upon God’s answer and we concentrate on making sure we are not somehow insincere or disqualified.

Many a Christian would say “yes I want God’s power on my life.” Yet saying the correct thing and wanting it no matter what may be two different matters.  Elisha seemed to have no doubt that the LORD never intended him to do ministry without the proper portion of His power.  Are we convinced of that today? Do we desperately believe that? Where is the evidence today in our churches that we believe we must have God’s power to do God’s work God’s way? The sooner we will say, ”yes, I do believe Jesus when He said, ’without me you can do nothing’”, the sooner we will begin to experience the desperation that proceeds the visitation of God’s power.

“Where is the Lord God of Elijah?”

We will meet for prayer and then have a light breakfast.  Come when you can, leave when you must, but let us seek God together.  Our focus scripture will be Ps 80.

(This is a 5th Thursday so we won’t have a pastor’s breakfast, we’ll PRAY)

II Timothy 3 The Spirit of God leads Paul to share with Pastor Timothy about high cost of godliness. He commends the pastor for the careful way he has followed. This includes doctrine, purpose, life style, persecutions, and more. Paul testifies how the Lord has delivered him out of difficulties but he clearly teaches us about paying the price for living and leading in a godly way. “Yes, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” How ever we may define “persecution”, it is never far from one who walks with Jesus.

At first glance this truth in verse 12 seems to limit this promise to the “godly”. Indeed, in this sin cursed world the godly believer will suffer. Yet that is not the limit of the truth. We see that even those who “desire to live godly”  will be tested with suffering. Yes, we do not have to be perfectly godly, because even the desire to live like Jesus will bring us under the truth of this awesome promise.

Now for the disclaimers. I am not speaking of the normal course of life and attendant events. Jesus did teach us that the rain “falls on the just and the unjust”. Praise God, there is grace for every trial!  More to the point is we should not consider it “persecution” if we have acted like a jerk or obnoxious, or foolish, or stupid, or unkind or ………. I’ll stop here!  I borrow cautiously the words of Jesus and say “you have your reward.”

I find there are temptations for preachers and leaders to go more shallow or simplistic or to just be in the norm in order to have a wider appeal. We call it being wise with the message, but it could be we just don’t want to endure the suffering that comes with the godly living that compels the preaching of the whole gospel for the whole man for the whole church.

In the very next chapter comes the challenge to give out the Word of God in all ways, preaching, teaching, counselling, exhorting and at all times. Be sure that the time is upon us that many will not want “sound doctrine” but will seek out leaders who will tell them what they want to hear; tales instead of truth, stories instead of Scripture, entertainment instead of evangelism, good Karma instead of Gospel conviction. We need not be mean-spirited or harsh in presenting God’s good news. The message itself is startling enough and is “foolishness” to those who are in a state of perishing .  The Gospel is wisdom and power to those who believe.

Here is the power to endure. “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, (PAY THE PRICE) do the work of an evangelist, (give the whole gospel to the whole person), fulfill your ministry.” (emphasis mine)

When we are married to the message of the Gospel we will be wed to the power of God that comes with the Gospel.

I believe there is another passage that even more fundamentally relates to the call of God and to whom He will continue to use. I must say it is surprisingly simple; at least in concept.

Warning:  We must avoid the potential trap of thinking God’s measure of pleasure is seen in fame and notoriety, nickels and numbers, and Baptist “signs and wonders”.

The passage I point us to is I Corinthians 1:26-31. Truth screams for our attention when the scripture concludes  with “…He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” (Taken from Jeremiah 9:24)  This also shouts at our pride and shoves us toward humility. Indeed, humility is basic the flavor of the text.

The very reason some otherwise qualified men experience so little of  God’s power is because of a pattern of  thinking, living, and leading that is the opposite of who God calls in the first place.

God says, “not many wise…mighty…noble are called.” If that is true when He calls us to serve we should also be aware and even fearful that acting wise, mighty, and noble “according to the flesh” could lead to disqualification. Yet before that tragedy occurs, this attitude can lead to God taking His hand of power and anointing off His man either gradually in mercy or suddenly in judgment.  There is only one thing worse than not having the presence and power of God. That is not having it and not knowing that it is missing. Ask Samson! He went out and flexed his muscles (used his own fleshly ways) and did not know that the Lord had departed from him as a leader.

Furthermore, God is very interested and quite pleased to keep using what popular thinking would call “…foolish…weak…base…despised…” and even what appears as nothing, to further His Kingdom and build His church.

Well, do we qualify for God to use us? And let also ask ourselves do we qualify for a visitation from God? Do we qualify for His anointing (special touch for a specific task)? I do believe more time on our knees honestly asking God about these matters will prove far more valuable than countless hours in growth seminars, strategy sessions and prayer-less team meetings. If we believe that, is there anyone among us today who has the courage to believe God by actually waiting on God “until you are endued with power from on high.” We say we want to be used of God, but how usable are we?

On our side, “no flesh should glory in His presence” and on His side, all glory is unto Him even in advance of a visitation of His life changing power and glory.”

Never forget that the criteria of humility from which God calls us is also the criteria by which He continues to use His servants.  No wonder that He has repeatedly said He, “…gives grace to the humble.”

Also, we had about 20 here people for the prayer summit. It was great; you don’t want to miss the next one scheduled for October 29th.

Tomorrow we plan to discuss the Mission Probe which should take place in September. I know you’ll want to be a part of that.

See you Tomorrow at noon!